Carla S. Saunders
DNP, APRN, NNP-BC, Advance Practice Coordinator, Pediatrix Medical Group
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, and Member, National Rx Drug Abuse & Heroin Summit Advisory Board
Carla Saunders has served as a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner since 1990. In 2010 she gathered a multidisciplinary team in response to the alarming rise of babies being admitted to the NICU with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS). They developed a standardized and holistic approach to the treatment of infants suffering from withdrawal created by maternal opiate exposure. The work done by her team is receiving local, state, national and international attention. Saunders has received multiple awards for her leadership and advocacy, including: Advanced Practitioner of the Year for the Atlantic Region of Pediatrix Medical Group (2010), one of Great American Country’s Great American Heroes (2012), and the Margaret Steinbach Leadership Award for Pediatrix Medical Group (2013). She has testified before the Tennessee State Senate on behalf of Children’s Hospital Alliance of Tennessee in support of the Safe Harbor Act promoting prenatal care and substance abuse treatment in pregnant women. Saunders is an advisory board member for Tennessee Initiative for Perinatal Quality Care, Tennessee Alliance for Drug Endangered Children, TDOH Chronic Pain Guidelines task force and NAS Research Committee. Saunders is a member of the National Rx Drug Abuse & Heroin Summit Advisory Board.
DNP, APRN, NNP-BC, Advance Practice Coordinator, Pediatrix Medical Group
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, and Member, National Rx Drug Abuse & Heroin Summit Advisory Board
Carla Saunders has served as a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner since 1990. In 2010 she gathered a multidisciplinary team in response to the alarming rise of babies being admitted to the NICU with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS). They developed a standardized and holistic approach to the treatment of infants suffering from withdrawal created by maternal opiate exposure. The work done by her team is receiving local, state, national and international attention. Saunders has received multiple awards for her leadership and advocacy, including: Advanced Practitioner of the Year for the Atlantic Region of Pediatrix Medical Group (2010), one of Great American Country’s Great American Heroes (2012), and the Margaret Steinbach Leadership Award for Pediatrix Medical Group (2013). She has testified before the Tennessee State Senate on behalf of Children’s Hospital Alliance of Tennessee in support of the Safe Harbor Act promoting prenatal care and substance abuse treatment in pregnant women. Saunders is an advisory board member for Tennessee Initiative for Perinatal Quality Care, Tennessee Alliance for Drug Endangered Children, TDOH Chronic Pain Guidelines task force and NAS Research Committee. Saunders is a member of the National Rx Drug Abuse & Heroin Summit Advisory Board.
Amy Saunders
MA, Director of MU Wellness Center
Marshall University
Amy Saunders is the director of the MU Wellness Center at Marshall University, where she oversees health and wellness initiatives on campus and serves as Co-Chair for the Marshall University Substance Use Recovery Coalition. She received a master's degree in psychology from Marshall University and has over 20 years of experience working in the fields of mental health and public health. She is currently working on a doctorate degree in education at Marshall University. Saunders served as the supervisor for a school-based mental health program overseeing services to students in five middle schools. She has authored and received over 20 public health related grants. Saunders serves as the Principal Investigator (PI) for an interdisciplinary health professionals training grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to provide Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) for individuals with mental health and substance use concerns. She is serving as a Co-PI on a Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Saunders has assisted with strategic planning and coalition development on campus and within the local community and state. She is a founding member of the Cabell County Substance Abuse Prevention Partnership and the West Virginia Collegiate Initiative to Address to Address High Risk Drinking and Substance Use, coalitions working to provide substance use education and prevention in West Virginia.
Using What We Know: Helping Teachers, Families and Communities Respond Systematically to Children Affected by Familial SUD
MA, Director of MU Wellness Center
Marshall University
Amy Saunders is the director of the MU Wellness Center at Marshall University, where she oversees health and wellness initiatives on campus and serves as Co-Chair for the Marshall University Substance Use Recovery Coalition. She received a master's degree in psychology from Marshall University and has over 20 years of experience working in the fields of mental health and public health. She is currently working on a doctorate degree in education at Marshall University. Saunders served as the supervisor for a school-based mental health program overseeing services to students in five middle schools. She has authored and received over 20 public health related grants. Saunders serves as the Principal Investigator (PI) for an interdisciplinary health professionals training grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to provide Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) for individuals with mental health and substance use concerns. She is serving as a Co-PI on a Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Saunders has assisted with strategic planning and coalition development on campus and within the local community and state. She is a founding member of the Cabell County Substance Abuse Prevention Partnership and the West Virginia Collegiate Initiative to Address to Address High Risk Drinking and Substance Use, coalitions working to provide substance use education and prevention in West Virginia.
Using What We Know: Helping Teachers, Families and Communities Respond Systematically to Children Affected by Familial SUD
Tonia M. Schaffer
MPH, Public Health Advisor, Center for Substance Abuse Prevention
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Tonia M. Schaffer, MPH, Public Health Advisor/Government Project Officer, is responsible for monitoring and guiding the substance abuse prevention activities of 17 states including the Virgin Islands. Schaffer coordinates the development of program policies, the creation of monitoring tools and evaluation protocols, and the provision of training and technical assistance to grantees. Recently, Schaffer was assigned the responsibility of addressing the opioid crisis across three centers to assist states to implement prevention, treatment and recovery interventions, as well as develop monitoring tools, facilitate technical assistance strategies and document best practices. She is responsible for organizing training sessions for the division staff and state grantees. Schaffer has extensive experience in substance abuse/misuse, HIV/AIDS, behavioral health, health policy, health equity and organizational development. Schaffer has assisted a multitude of entities including state and local governmental agencies, minority colleges/universities, criminal justice institutions, community based organizations, Congressional representatives and federal agencies.
SAMHSA Opioid STR: State-Specific, Evidenced-Based Approaches to Prevention, Treatment and Recovery Support to Reduce Opioid Related Deaths
MPH, Public Health Advisor, Center for Substance Abuse Prevention
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Tonia M. Schaffer, MPH, Public Health Advisor/Government Project Officer, is responsible for monitoring and guiding the substance abuse prevention activities of 17 states including the Virgin Islands. Schaffer coordinates the development of program policies, the creation of monitoring tools and evaluation protocols, and the provision of training and technical assistance to grantees. Recently, Schaffer was assigned the responsibility of addressing the opioid crisis across three centers to assist states to implement prevention, treatment and recovery interventions, as well as develop monitoring tools, facilitate technical assistance strategies and document best practices. She is responsible for organizing training sessions for the division staff and state grantees. Schaffer has extensive experience in substance abuse/misuse, HIV/AIDS, behavioral health, health policy, health equity and organizational development. Schaffer has assisted a multitude of entities including state and local governmental agencies, minority colleges/universities, criminal justice institutions, community based organizations, Congressional representatives and federal agencies.
SAMHSA Opioid STR: State-Specific, Evidenced-Based Approaches to Prevention, Treatment and Recovery Support to Reduce Opioid Related Deaths
Lawrence Scholl
PhD, MPH, Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Dr. Lawrence Scholl is an Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) Officer working on the Overdose Epidemiology and Surveillance Team in the Division of Unintentional Injury Prevention (DUIP) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As an EIS Officer, he completed an evaluation of the Prescription Behavior Surveillance System (PBSS), analyzed Rx histories of overdose decedents, and is conducting an analysis of PBSS prescribing data and an investigation of substance use during pregnancy. Prior to arriving at DUIP, Scholl worked with the North Carolina Division of Public Health to analyze deaths from overdoses and data collected in the North Carolina Violent Death Reporting System. He also worked with the North Carolina Division of Mental Health to examine data collected by the state’s prescription drug monitoring program. At the University of North Carolina, his research and evaluation work focused on youth suicide prevention and young driver safety.
Opioid and Fentanyl Overdoses: Rapid Surveillance and Regional Patterns
PhD, MPH, Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Dr. Lawrence Scholl is an Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) Officer working on the Overdose Epidemiology and Surveillance Team in the Division of Unintentional Injury Prevention (DUIP) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As an EIS Officer, he completed an evaluation of the Prescription Behavior Surveillance System (PBSS), analyzed Rx histories of overdose decedents, and is conducting an analysis of PBSS prescribing data and an investigation of substance use during pregnancy. Prior to arriving at DUIP, Scholl worked with the North Carolina Division of Public Health to analyze deaths from overdoses and data collected in the North Carolina Violent Death Reporting System. He also worked with the North Carolina Division of Mental Health to examine data collected by the state’s prescription drug monitoring program. At the University of North Carolina, his research and evaluation work focused on youth suicide prevention and young driver safety.
Opioid and Fentanyl Overdoses: Rapid Surveillance and Regional Patterns
Maggie Schroeder
MA, LCADC, Adult Substance Use Treatment and Recovery Services Branch Manager, Division of Behavioral Health
Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services
Maggie Schroeder is the Branch Manager for the Adult Substance Use Treatment and Recovery Services Branch at the Kentucky Division of Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities. She has master's degrees in clinical psychology and political science and is a licensed clinical alcohol and drug counselor. She has over 30 years of experience in providing behavioral health and substance abuse services to individuals and their families including case management and therapeutic interventions services, as well as providing clinical and administrative supervision.
Kentucky’s Comprehensive System of Care Model for Pregnant and Parenting Women with SUD
MA, LCADC, Adult Substance Use Treatment and Recovery Services Branch Manager, Division of Behavioral Health
Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services
Maggie Schroeder is the Branch Manager for the Adult Substance Use Treatment and Recovery Services Branch at the Kentucky Division of Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities. She has master's degrees in clinical psychology and political science and is a licensed clinical alcohol and drug counselor. She has over 30 years of experience in providing behavioral health and substance abuse services to individuals and their families including case management and therapeutic interventions services, as well as providing clinical and administrative supervision.
Kentucky’s Comprehensive System of Care Model for Pregnant and Parenting Women with SUD
Anne Schuchat MD, (RADM, USPHS)
MD, (RADM, USPHS), Principal Deputy Director
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Anne Schuchat, MD, is the acting director for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and acting administrator of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). Dr. Schuchat has been CDC's principal deputy director since 2015, and she also led CDC as acting director from January-July of 2017. She began her public health career in 1988 when she came to CDC as an Epidemic Intelligence Service officer. She served as the director of CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases from 2006-2015. Other CDC leadership posts include: acting director of the Center for Global Health (2012-13), acting director of the National Center for Infectious Diseases (2005), and chief of the Respiratory Diseases Branch (1998-2005). Dr. Schuchat was the initial medical director of ABCs – the Active Bacterial Core surveillance of the Emerging Infections Program Network – and spearheaded prevention of newborn infection from group B streptococcal disease in the 1990s. She was promoted to Rear Admiral in the Commissioned Corps of the United States Public Health Service in 2006 and earned a second star in 2010. Dr. Schuchat was elected to the National Academy of Medicine (formerly the Institute of Medicine) in 2008.
Dr. Schuchat has played key roles in a number of CDC emergency responses. Most notably, she served as Chief Health Officer for CDC's 2009 H1N1 pandemic influenza response; led the CDC team responding to the SARS outbreak in Beijing in 2003; and supported the Washington D.C. field team during the 2001 bioterrorist anthrax response.
Globally, Dr. Schuchat has worked in West Africa on meningitis, pneumonia, and Ebola vaccine trials; in South Africa on surveillance and prevention projects, and represented technical and health research institutes on the GAVI Alliance board. She has authored or co-authored more than 230 scientific articles, book chapters, and reviews. Her contributions have been recognized by receipt of USPHS Meritorious Service Medals, the American Public Health Association's Maternal and Child Health Young Investigator Award, the USPHS Physician Research Officer of the Year, and an Honorary Doctorate in Science from Swarthmore College. Dr. Schuchat graduated with highest honors from Swarthmore College and with honors from the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth and completed her residency and chief residency in internal medicine at NYU's Manhattan VA Hospital.
Plenary Session: Agency Update
MD, (RADM, USPHS), Principal Deputy Director
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Anne Schuchat, MD, is the acting director for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and acting administrator of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). Dr. Schuchat has been CDC's principal deputy director since 2015, and she also led CDC as acting director from January-July of 2017. She began her public health career in 1988 when she came to CDC as an Epidemic Intelligence Service officer. She served as the director of CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases from 2006-2015. Other CDC leadership posts include: acting director of the Center for Global Health (2012-13), acting director of the National Center for Infectious Diseases (2005), and chief of the Respiratory Diseases Branch (1998-2005). Dr. Schuchat was the initial medical director of ABCs – the Active Bacterial Core surveillance of the Emerging Infections Program Network – and spearheaded prevention of newborn infection from group B streptococcal disease in the 1990s. She was promoted to Rear Admiral in the Commissioned Corps of the United States Public Health Service in 2006 and earned a second star in 2010. Dr. Schuchat was elected to the National Academy of Medicine (formerly the Institute of Medicine) in 2008.
Dr. Schuchat has played key roles in a number of CDC emergency responses. Most notably, she served as Chief Health Officer for CDC's 2009 H1N1 pandemic influenza response; led the CDC team responding to the SARS outbreak in Beijing in 2003; and supported the Washington D.C. field team during the 2001 bioterrorist anthrax response.
Globally, Dr. Schuchat has worked in West Africa on meningitis, pneumonia, and Ebola vaccine trials; in South Africa on surveillance and prevention projects, and represented technical and health research institutes on the GAVI Alliance board. She has authored or co-authored more than 230 scientific articles, book chapters, and reviews. Her contributions have been recognized by receipt of USPHS Meritorious Service Medals, the American Public Health Association's Maternal and Child Health Young Investigator Award, the USPHS Physician Research Officer of the Year, and an Honorary Doctorate in Science from Swarthmore College. Dr. Schuchat graduated with highest honors from Swarthmore College and with honors from the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth and completed her residency and chief residency in internal medicine at NYU's Manhattan VA Hospital.
Plenary Session: Agency Update
Rocky Schwartz
Co-Chair
New Jersey Behavioral Health Planning Council
Rocky Schwartz is a woman in long-term recovery from alcoholism and addiction for 36 years. She naively believed that she would be able to prevent her children from suffering from substance abuse. However, both of her sons have been struggling with substance abuse and mental health issues. Seven years and $300,000 later, she has lost six insurance appeals. She gave up the first few appeals due to emotional fatigue. With each insurance denial, she became more and more outraged. Schwartz has become a passionate advocate for parity enforcement. She is the Co-Chair of the New Jersey Behavioral Health Planning Council, member of the New Jersey Parity Coalition and National Alliance on Mental Illness. She was recognized by the New Jersey legislature as an Advocacy Leader. She testified in the New Jersey legislature in support of the proposed parity bill. She spoke at the New Frontier of Mental Health and Addiction Event on Capitol Hill. Most recently, she testified before the President's Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and Opioid Crisis in the White House.
A Parity Framework
Co-Chair
New Jersey Behavioral Health Planning Council
Rocky Schwartz is a woman in long-term recovery from alcoholism and addiction for 36 years. She naively believed that she would be able to prevent her children from suffering from substance abuse. However, both of her sons have been struggling with substance abuse and mental health issues. Seven years and $300,000 later, she has lost six insurance appeals. She gave up the first few appeals due to emotional fatigue. With each insurance denial, she became more and more outraged. Schwartz has become a passionate advocate for parity enforcement. She is the Co-Chair of the New Jersey Behavioral Health Planning Council, member of the New Jersey Parity Coalition and National Alliance on Mental Illness. She was recognized by the New Jersey legislature as an Advocacy Leader. She testified in the New Jersey legislature in support of the proposed parity bill. She spoke at the New Frontier of Mental Health and Addiction Event on Capitol Hill. Most recently, she testified before the President's Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and Opioid Crisis in the White House.
A Parity Framework
Adam Seidner
MD, MPH, Chief Medical Officer
The Hartford
Adam L. Seidner, MD, MPH, is the Global Medical Director at Travelers Insurance Company in Hartford, Connecticut. Since 1997 he has been responsible for technology assessment, pharmacy benefit development, quality assurance and improvement, as well as medical policy development. He received his medical degree from the State University of New York at Syracuse. He completed residencies and is board certified in Occupational & Environmental Medicine and Family Medicine. He has also received a Master of Public Health degree from study at the University of Connecticut. Seidner has earned numerous honors and awards throughout his career such as the Delta Omega National Honor Society, Secretary of State’s Public Service Award, ACOEM Research Award, AMA Physician Recognition Award, and the AAFP Family Practice Teaching Appreciation Certificate.
Workers’ Comp: Opioid Use Trends and Effective Population Health Management
MD, MPH, Chief Medical Officer
The Hartford
Adam L. Seidner, MD, MPH, is the Global Medical Director at Travelers Insurance Company in Hartford, Connecticut. Since 1997 he has been responsible for technology assessment, pharmacy benefit development, quality assurance and improvement, as well as medical policy development. He received his medical degree from the State University of New York at Syracuse. He completed residencies and is board certified in Occupational & Environmental Medicine and Family Medicine. He has also received a Master of Public Health degree from study at the University of Connecticut. Seidner has earned numerous honors and awards throughout his career such as the Delta Omega National Honor Society, Secretary of State’s Public Service Award, ACOEM Research Award, AMA Physician Recognition Award, and the AAFP Family Practice Teaching Appreciation Certificate.
Workers’ Comp: Opioid Use Trends and Effective Population Health Management
Puja Seth
PhD, Lead, Overdose Epidemiology and Surveillance Team
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Dr. Puja Seth is the Team Lead for the Overdose Epidemiology and Surveillance Team in the Division of Unintentional Injury Prevention (DUIP) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Her team is responsible for the Enhanced State Opioid Overdose Surveillance (ESOOS) program. She has served in this capacity since February 2016 and has been at CDC since 2009. Prior to joining DUIP, Seth worked internationally and domestically on programmatic and research efforts on HIV testing and HIV service delivery, prevention with HIV-positive persons, program evaluation, national-level HIV data and data quality issues, capacity building, and providing technical assistance to states and countries. She is an adjunct faculty member in the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University. Seth has her doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Georgia and her master's degree from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. She has over 55 publications in peer-reviewed journals, book chapters and government reports, and she has given over 85 presentations.
Faster Data: The CDC-Funded Enhanced State Opioid Overdose Surveillance Program
PhD, Lead, Overdose Epidemiology and Surveillance Team
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Dr. Puja Seth is the Team Lead for the Overdose Epidemiology and Surveillance Team in the Division of Unintentional Injury Prevention (DUIP) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Her team is responsible for the Enhanced State Opioid Overdose Surveillance (ESOOS) program. She has served in this capacity since February 2016 and has been at CDC since 2009. Prior to joining DUIP, Seth worked internationally and domestically on programmatic and research efforts on HIV testing and HIV service delivery, prevention with HIV-positive persons, program evaluation, national-level HIV data and data quality issues, capacity building, and providing technical assistance to states and countries. She is an adjunct faculty member in the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University. Seth has her doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Georgia and her master's degree from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. She has over 55 publications in peer-reviewed journals, book chapters and government reports, and she has given over 85 presentations.
Faster Data: The CDC-Funded Enhanced State Opioid Overdose Surveillance Program
Behshad Sheldon
Chair, Board of Directors
Female Opioid-Addiction Research and Clinical Experts
Behshad Sheldon is the founder and chairwoman of the board of directors for Female Opioid-addiction Research and Clinical Experts (FORCE). She is the former President and CEO of Braeburn and, through this role, came to be a passionate defender of the rights of people with opioid use disorder. Sheldon began her career in the pharmaceutical industry as a sales representative and has held positions in sales, training, and domestic and global marketing. She spent 10 years at Otsuka Pharmaceuticals and co-founded the Otsuka Princeton office in 2002. Sheldon also served as a member of the board of directors of the Otsuka R&D organization, contributing to the oversight of 18 pre-approval programs for 13 products in CNS, cardio-renal, pain, dermatology and oncology. Prior to joining Otsuka, she served as a Senior Director in Global Marketing at Bristol-Myers Squibb, where she was responsible for the marketing of Plavix and Glucophage. Sheldon's other commercial experiences have included managing successful marketing initiatives at SmithKline Beecham, including Bactroban. She has been a Director of Cerecor Inc. since July 11, 2014. Sheldon holds a bachelor's degree in neuroscience from the University of Rochester.
Gender Differences and Substance Abuse: Eliminate Discrimination, Improve Treatment and Save Lives
Chair, Board of Directors
Female Opioid-Addiction Research and Clinical Experts
Behshad Sheldon is the founder and chairwoman of the board of directors for Female Opioid-addiction Research and Clinical Experts (FORCE). She is the former President and CEO of Braeburn and, through this role, came to be a passionate defender of the rights of people with opioid use disorder. Sheldon began her career in the pharmaceutical industry as a sales representative and has held positions in sales, training, and domestic and global marketing. She spent 10 years at Otsuka Pharmaceuticals and co-founded the Otsuka Princeton office in 2002. Sheldon also served as a member of the board of directors of the Otsuka R&D organization, contributing to the oversight of 18 pre-approval programs for 13 products in CNS, cardio-renal, pain, dermatology and oncology. Prior to joining Otsuka, she served as a Senior Director in Global Marketing at Bristol-Myers Squibb, where she was responsible for the marketing of Plavix and Glucophage. Sheldon's other commercial experiences have included managing successful marketing initiatives at SmithKline Beecham, including Bactroban. She has been a Director of Cerecor Inc. since July 11, 2014. Sheldon holds a bachelor's degree in neuroscience from the University of Rochester.
Gender Differences and Substance Abuse: Eliminate Discrimination, Improve Treatment and Save Lives
Susan Sherman
PhD, MPH, Professor
Johns Hopkins University
Dr. Susan Sherman is a behavioral scientist who conducts research on the structural determinants of drug use, HIV and overdose risk. She is Professor of Health, Behavior and Society at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Co-Lead of the Addiction and Overdose workgroup of the Bloomberg American Health Initiative, and Co-Director of the Johns Hopkins Center for AIDS Research Baltimore HIV Collaboratory. She leads several studies funded by the National Institute of Health (NIH) in Baltimore and previously led several NIH-funded intervention studies in India, Pakistan and Thailand. Sherman serves on several Baltimore and Maryland commissions on syringe exchange programs and overdose prevention.
Drug Checking: A Novel Evidence-Based Strategy for Preventing Overdose
PhD, MPH, Professor
Johns Hopkins University
Dr. Susan Sherman is a behavioral scientist who conducts research on the structural determinants of drug use, HIV and overdose risk. She is Professor of Health, Behavior and Society at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Co-Lead of the Addiction and Overdose workgroup of the Bloomberg American Health Initiative, and Co-Director of the Johns Hopkins Center for AIDS Research Baltimore HIV Collaboratory. She leads several studies funded by the National Institute of Health (NIH) in Baltimore and previously led several NIH-funded intervention studies in India, Pakistan and Thailand. Sherman serves on several Baltimore and Maryland commissions on syringe exchange programs and overdose prevention.
Drug Checking: A Novel Evidence-Based Strategy for Preventing Overdose
Sarah J. Shoemaker
PhD, PharmD, Health Services Researcher
Abt Associates
Sarah J. Shoemaker, PhD, PharmD, a Senior Associates with Abt Associates, Inc., is a health services researcher and implementation scientist who conducts research on opioid prescribing and management, medication management and safety, primary care transformation, and quality improvement. Shoemaker is a strong methodologist with deep experience in qualitative and mixed-methods for health services, evaluation and implementation research. Shoemaker has led several studies and evaluations for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and other clients. She currently serves as Principal Investigator/Co-Principal Investigator on a trio of projects for the CDC to develop resources in support of implementing the CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain through coordinated care, implementation, clinical decision support, quality improvement (QI) and QI measures for systems to monitor progress implementing the Guideline recommendations. Shoemaker’s work has been widely disseminated in peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations and posters, and in evidence-based resources available from AHRQ and CDC. Shoemaker serves on the quality and compliance committee of a Boston-based federally qualified health center, as well as the editorial advisory board of several journals. She also has served as a guest editor for journal supplements on implementation science and primary care practice improvement. Shoemaker is a registered pharmacist with experience practicing in a clinic-based practice (providing direct patient care) and several retail pharmacies (independent, chain and specialty). She received her doctorate in pharmacy degree from Creighton University and her doctorate degree from the University of Minnesota.
CDC Guideline: Implementing Clinical and Practice-Level Strategies
PhD, PharmD, Health Services Researcher
Abt Associates
Sarah J. Shoemaker, PhD, PharmD, a Senior Associates with Abt Associates, Inc., is a health services researcher and implementation scientist who conducts research on opioid prescribing and management, medication management and safety, primary care transformation, and quality improvement. Shoemaker is a strong methodologist with deep experience in qualitative and mixed-methods for health services, evaluation and implementation research. Shoemaker has led several studies and evaluations for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and other clients. She currently serves as Principal Investigator/Co-Principal Investigator on a trio of projects for the CDC to develop resources in support of implementing the CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain through coordinated care, implementation, clinical decision support, quality improvement (QI) and QI measures for systems to monitor progress implementing the Guideline recommendations. Shoemaker’s work has been widely disseminated in peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations and posters, and in evidence-based resources available from AHRQ and CDC. Shoemaker serves on the quality and compliance committee of a Boston-based federally qualified health center, as well as the editorial advisory board of several journals. She also has served as a guest editor for journal supplements on implementation science and primary care practice improvement. Shoemaker is a registered pharmacist with experience practicing in a clinic-based practice (providing direct patient care) and several retail pharmacies (independent, chain and specialty). She received her doctorate in pharmacy degree from Creighton University and her doctorate degree from the University of Minnesota.
CDC Guideline: Implementing Clinical and Practice-Level Strategies
Michael Singleton
PhD, Assistant Professor, Biostatistics
University of Kentucky
Dr. Michael Singleton is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biostatistics at the University of Kentucky and a faculty member in the Kentucky Injury Prevention and Research Center. He received his doctorate in epidemiology and biostatistics from the University of Kentucky. His current research interests include rapid surveillance for drug overdoses, and applications of probabilistic record linkage in public health. He is the Principal Investigator for Kentucky’s Enhanced State Surveillance of Opioid-Involved Morbidity and Mortality project, which is funded through a cooperative agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
States with Fast Data: Lessons Learned from Kentucky, New Mexico and Wisconsin
PhD, Assistant Professor, Biostatistics
University of Kentucky
Dr. Michael Singleton is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biostatistics at the University of Kentucky and a faculty member in the Kentucky Injury Prevention and Research Center. He received his doctorate in epidemiology and biostatistics from the University of Kentucky. His current research interests include rapid surveillance for drug overdoses, and applications of probabilistic record linkage in public health. He is the Principal Investigator for Kentucky’s Enhanced State Surveillance of Opioid-Involved Morbidity and Mortality project, which is funded through a cooperative agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
States with Fast Data: Lessons Learned from Kentucky, New Mexico and Wisconsin
Hope Smiley-McDonald
Director, Investigative Science Program
RTI International
Dr. Hope Smiley-McDonald is a research sociologist with nearly 20 years of research experience in the areas of corrections, substance use, drug offenders and substance abuse treatment. Her research interests include health, social and justice issues in the context of substance use, including opioid use. She has published in the areas of drug courts, reentry, employment, offender health and mental health, inmate mortality, and women and substance abuse. Smiley-McDonald has worked on several community-based and corrections-based program evaluations of substance abuse treatment programs designed for women and drug offenders and has directed the outcome evaluations of an adult drug court and an offender reentry project. She has published in the areas of drug courts, HIV risk behaviors, employment, health and mental health, women and substance abuse, and community corrections populations. Her current research is focused on the collection and reporting of solid dosage drug analyses results from local, state and federal crime laboratories and harm reduction strategies used by law enforcement to address the opioid epidemic.
Law Enforcement and Harm Reduction: Merging Public Safety and Public Health Roles
Director, Investigative Science Program
RTI International
Dr. Hope Smiley-McDonald is a research sociologist with nearly 20 years of research experience in the areas of corrections, substance use, drug offenders and substance abuse treatment. Her research interests include health, social and justice issues in the context of substance use, including opioid use. She has published in the areas of drug courts, reentry, employment, offender health and mental health, inmate mortality, and women and substance abuse. Smiley-McDonald has worked on several community-based and corrections-based program evaluations of substance abuse treatment programs designed for women and drug offenders and has directed the outcome evaluations of an adult drug court and an offender reentry project. She has published in the areas of drug courts, HIV risk behaviors, employment, health and mental health, women and substance abuse, and community corrections populations. Her current research is focused on the collection and reporting of solid dosage drug analyses results from local, state and federal crime laboratories and harm reduction strategies used by law enforcement to address the opioid epidemic.
Law Enforcement and Harm Reduction: Merging Public Safety and Public Health Roles
Timothy Smyth
President
Catalyst Health Solutions
Dr. Timothy S. Smyth is triple boarded in Addiction Medicine, Pain Medicine and Anesthesiology. He practiced interventional and medical management of chronic pain for 23 years. For the past five years, he has focused exclusively on helping those with addiction to opioids with an emphasis on medically assisted treatment. Smyth is the Medical Director at Overmountain Recovery (OMR), one of the few not-for-profit methadone clinics in the country. OMR is a joint project between East Tennessee State University and Ballad Healthcare (formerly Mountain States Health Alliance). Smyth is also the Medical Director and a founding partner of Catalyst Health Solutions (CHS). CHS is an addiction clinic focusing on the outpatient treatment of addiction using MAT in the form of Buprenorphine. CHS includes among its staff two board-certified addiction psychiatrists and four masters-level addiction counsellors. CHS is one of the first clinics in the area to be licensed by the State of Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.
Tackling the Opioid Epidemic in Tennessee: Third-Party Payer and Provider Perspectives
President
Catalyst Health Solutions
Dr. Timothy S. Smyth is triple boarded in Addiction Medicine, Pain Medicine and Anesthesiology. He practiced interventional and medical management of chronic pain for 23 years. For the past five years, he has focused exclusively on helping those with addiction to opioids with an emphasis on medically assisted treatment. Smyth is the Medical Director at Overmountain Recovery (OMR), one of the few not-for-profit methadone clinics in the country. OMR is a joint project between East Tennessee State University and Ballad Healthcare (formerly Mountain States Health Alliance). Smyth is also the Medical Director and a founding partner of Catalyst Health Solutions (CHS). CHS is an addiction clinic focusing on the outpatient treatment of addiction using MAT in the form of Buprenorphine. CHS includes among its staff two board-certified addiction psychiatrists and four masters-level addiction counsellors. CHS is one of the first clinics in the area to be licensed by the State of Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.
Tackling the Opioid Epidemic in Tennessee: Third-Party Payer and Provider Perspectives
CeCe Spitznas
PhD, Senior Science Policy Advisor
Office of National Drug Control Policy, and Member, National Rx Drug Abuse & Heroin Summit Advisory Board
Cece Spitznas, PhD, is Senior Science Policy Advisor in the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), a component of the Executive Office of the President. She provides policy analysis and scientific advice to the ONDCP Director and Chief of Staff on special matters of concern to ONDCP, such as emerging drug trends and demand reduction, and helps to develop legislative responses to problems of national scope, particularly on Rx drugs, heroin and fentanyl. In 2012, she organized a National Leadership Meeting for ONDCP on Maternal Substance Use and Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome. From 2000-2012, Spitznas was a program official at the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), where her research portfolio concerned developing and testing new screening, brief interventions and treatments for people with substance use disorders, including pregnant women, and developing provider training. She received her clinical and research training in psychology at the University of New Mexico and the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) School of Medicine. She worked as a research professor at UAB, conducting research on relapse and treatment for crack cocaine use in homeless cocaine users prior to joining the NIH.
Update from the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP)
PhD, Senior Science Policy Advisor
Office of National Drug Control Policy, and Member, National Rx Drug Abuse & Heroin Summit Advisory Board
Cece Spitznas, PhD, is Senior Science Policy Advisor in the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), a component of the Executive Office of the President. She provides policy analysis and scientific advice to the ONDCP Director and Chief of Staff on special matters of concern to ONDCP, such as emerging drug trends and demand reduction, and helps to develop legislative responses to problems of national scope, particularly on Rx drugs, heroin and fentanyl. In 2012, she organized a National Leadership Meeting for ONDCP on Maternal Substance Use and Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome. From 2000-2012, Spitznas was a program official at the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), where her research portfolio concerned developing and testing new screening, brief interventions and treatments for people with substance use disorders, including pregnant women, and developing provider training. She received her clinical and research training in psychology at the University of New Mexico and the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) School of Medicine. She worked as a research professor at UAB, conducting research on relapse and treatment for crack cocaine use in homeless cocaine users prior to joining the NIH.
Update from the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP)
Steven Stanos
DO, Medical Director, Swedish Pain Services, Swedish Health System
President, American Academy of Pain Medicine
Dr. Steven Stanos is Medical Director of Swedish Pain Services for Swedish Health System in Seattle, Washington. Stanos is board certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Pain Medicine. Stanos presently serves as President of the American Academy of Pain Medicine and on the Board of Directors of the American Board of Pain Medicine. He is active with the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. He served as a panel member on the National Pain Strategy and an invited consultant to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the CDC Opioid Guideline published in 2016.
The Role of Third-Party Payers in Promoting Multi-Disciplinary Care
DO, Medical Director, Swedish Pain Services, Swedish Health System
President, American Academy of Pain Medicine
Dr. Steven Stanos is Medical Director of Swedish Pain Services for Swedish Health System in Seattle, Washington. Stanos is board certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Pain Medicine. Stanos presently serves as President of the American Academy of Pain Medicine and on the Board of Directors of the American Board of Pain Medicine. He is active with the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. He served as a panel member on the National Pain Strategy and an invited consultant to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the CDC Opioid Guideline published in 2016.
The Role of Third-Party Payers in Promoting Multi-Disciplinary Care
Jackie L. Steele, Jr.
JD, Commonwealth Attorney
Kentucky 27th Judicial Circuit, and Member, Operation UNITE Board of Directors
Jackie Steele earned his Juris Doctor degree from the Salmon P. Chase College of Law at Northern Kentucky University in 2001. He practiced civil law prior to accepting a full-time position as Assistant Commonwealth Attorney and, in 2008, was appointed Commonwealth Attorney for the 27th Judicial Circuit. He has handled hundreds of felony cases ranging from theft, embezzlement, rape, drug trafficking and murder. Steele was named “Outstanding Commonwealth’s Attorney” in 2011. In addition, he has been recognized by Drug Court staff for his exceptional support to the Drug Court program, the Kentucky Narcotic Officers’ Association for outstanding support and commitment to drug enforcement efforts in the state and for going above and beyond to support legislative efforts, and received the “Sword of Justice Award” from the Kentucky Commonwealth Attorneys’ Association for ceaseless dedication to the pursuit of justice. Steele is Past-President of the Kentucky Commonwealth Attorneys’ Association, a member of the Laurel County and Kentucky Bar Associations, the 27th Judicial Circuit Drug Court Team, and the Laurel and Knox County Child Abuse Response Teams. He has served as a Board Member for Operation UNITE since January 2012.
JD, Commonwealth Attorney
Kentucky 27th Judicial Circuit, and Member, Operation UNITE Board of Directors
Jackie Steele earned his Juris Doctor degree from the Salmon P. Chase College of Law at Northern Kentucky University in 2001. He practiced civil law prior to accepting a full-time position as Assistant Commonwealth Attorney and, in 2008, was appointed Commonwealth Attorney for the 27th Judicial Circuit. He has handled hundreds of felony cases ranging from theft, embezzlement, rape, drug trafficking and murder. Steele was named “Outstanding Commonwealth’s Attorney” in 2011. In addition, he has been recognized by Drug Court staff for his exceptional support to the Drug Court program, the Kentucky Narcotic Officers’ Association for outstanding support and commitment to drug enforcement efforts in the state and for going above and beyond to support legislative efforts, and received the “Sword of Justice Award” from the Kentucky Commonwealth Attorneys’ Association for ceaseless dedication to the pursuit of justice. Steele is Past-President of the Kentucky Commonwealth Attorneys’ Association, a member of the Laurel County and Kentucky Bar Associations, the 27th Judicial Circuit Drug Court Team, and the Laurel and Knox County Child Abuse Response Teams. He has served as a Board Member for Operation UNITE since January 2012.
Shelly Steiner
DFC Grant Coordinator
Carter County (Kentucky) Drug Free Coalition
Shelly Steiner is the DFC Grant Coordinator for the Carter County (Kentucky) Drug Free Coalition. She earned her Certified Prevention Specialist in 2012 and has been working in the prevention field for the past eight years. She has presented at the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) National Leadership Forum, CADCA Mid-Year Training Institute, and the National Rx Drug Abuse and Heroin Summit. She earned a bachelor's degree in secondary education, majoring in Spanish and minoring in speech and communications, from Morehead State University, and she is working towards her master's degree in counseling. She worked in the public school system for 17 years, four as a Spanish teacher, before coming into the prevention field.
Stop Them Before They Start
DFC Grant Coordinator
Carter County (Kentucky) Drug Free Coalition
Shelly Steiner is the DFC Grant Coordinator for the Carter County (Kentucky) Drug Free Coalition. She earned her Certified Prevention Specialist in 2012 and has been working in the prevention field for the past eight years. She has presented at the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) National Leadership Forum, CADCA Mid-Year Training Institute, and the National Rx Drug Abuse and Heroin Summit. She earned a bachelor's degree in secondary education, majoring in Spanish and minoring in speech and communications, from Morehead State University, and she is working towards her master's degree in counseling. She worked in the public school system for 17 years, four as a Spanish teacher, before coming into the prevention field.
Stop Them Before They Start
Dale Stephenson
PhD, CIH, Dean, College of Health Professions
Northern Kentucky University
In January 2018, Dr. Dale Stephenson began his tenure as Dean of the College of Health Professions at Northern Kentucky University (NKU). Stephenson earned a doctoral degree in environmental health from Colorado State University in 1991 and an undergraduate degree in geology from Metropolitan State University in 1984. Prior to coming to NKU, he was employed for 15 years by Boise State University, where he served as Program Coordinator of undergraduate environmental and occupational health, Chair of the Department of Community and Environmental Health, and ultimately Director of the School of Allied Health Sciences. His research specialization is occupational health, specifically as it relates to assessment and control of airborne exposure to toxic agents. Stephenson is married, has two grown sons, is passionate for the game of squash, and enjoys to hunt and fish in the mountains and streams of Idaho – and now Kentucky!
PhD, CIH, Dean, College of Health Professions
Northern Kentucky University
In January 2018, Dr. Dale Stephenson began his tenure as Dean of the College of Health Professions at Northern Kentucky University (NKU). Stephenson earned a doctoral degree in environmental health from Colorado State University in 1991 and an undergraduate degree in geology from Metropolitan State University in 1984. Prior to coming to NKU, he was employed for 15 years by Boise State University, where he served as Program Coordinator of undergraduate environmental and occupational health, Chair of the Department of Community and Environmental Health, and ultimately Director of the School of Allied Health Sciences. His research specialization is occupational health, specifically as it relates to assessment and control of airborne exposure to toxic agents. Stephenson is married, has two grown sons, is passionate for the game of squash, and enjoys to hunt and fish in the mountains and streams of Idaho – and now Kentucky!
